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Friday, October 28, 2016

Highly controversial debut novel by Cālix Leigh-Reign is taking the nation by storm! For those who've been craving an untapped damsel-in-distress-less Sci-Fi niche - Opaque delivers in this gripping page-turner involving mutated Limbal rings, biokenretic anomalies, mental dysfunction, perplexing Russian ancestry & romance. Cālix takes us on an adventure that begins when 16 year old misanthropic Adam Caspian unknowingly reaches biokenretic puberty, and his supernatural abilities awaken to save him from his murderous intentions. His every thought revolves around the extinction of the human race until mysterious Afro-Russian Carly Wit stumbles into his English class one morning. Adam notices something otherworldly about her immediately but denies the bio-synch taking place inside of him. As he resists their blossoming love, he battles with unnatural thoughts of his mother. Discovering his origin isn't what he'd thought, he becomes determined to peel back the layers of his lineage and unmasks a multitude of mind-bending secrets along the way.

I love getting to read the first books in new series. This book is a great start to a new serious. And I can't stress that enough. This book gives us strong characters and a great story to start with. I could not put this one down once I started reading it. And those are the kinds of books that I love. When you can't leave the world they put you in.

This book gives you so many different things. You have the sci-fi aspect of things and you have the love side of things that can't be denied. You get emotions, and they keep you reading. If you can feel something from a book while you are reading then you know the book is a great one.

Calix has developed some great characters. They are strong, well done and I kept picturing myself with them, as part of their world. I wanted to be their friend. I went to bed after reading the book, still stuck in the world, with the characters. I just could not get my head out of the book that night.

About the Author: Cālix is the published author of the Russian-mutant, psychological Sci-Fi fantasy novel, Opaque. She's a certified paralegal and has studied creative writing under English teacher, script writer and published author Larry Strauss. Her earliest literary inspirations include Alice Walker, Larry Strauss, VC Andrews and Stephen King. She spent a majority of her childhood in libraries and developed an intense relationship with words. She's a member of YARWA and RWA and is currently serving as a judge for YARWA's 2016 Rosemary Contest. She enjoys prayer, discovering the minds of those who rebel against social programming, listening to music, a great cup of coffee, exquisite ethnic cuisine, spending time with family & friends, attending movie premieres, traveling and the arts. She spends her free time in the gym, fantasizing about story plots and different ways of changing the world.

Wednesday, October 12, 2016

BLURB:All beings in that
place knew that the winds of change were coming, and there they were,
standing on the precipice of all the ages before them, waiting to be
swept up by the gale and take the leap of faith into the maelstrom of
the future; that deep black lake where even the Weavers’ gaze could only
pierce but a little.”

The Speakers have been the people’s
connection to the High Ones for millennia. Ever since the days of the
Old Wars, the Speakers have joined with the fair children of Urunem, the
Sons and Daughters of the Trees, ancient wights, and the mighty
Beast-Folk, to stand against those beings that usher forth from the
harsher wombs of the Earth. Legendary warriors, healers, and wardens of
the sacred, beholden to a deep and ancient wisdom, the Speakers with
their divine power have always sought to enact the will of the High
Ones. However, when an unexpected and devastating attack on the Morkvatn
Seminary occurs on the Day of Great Light, the Speakers are left in
turmoil. The wise and ancient High Speaker Asmund, fearing the prospect
of a future attack, ventures into the cursed forest of Morkvatn to seek
ultimate wisdom. When he returns from his trials a near god, he and High
Speakers Bjarni and Alvilda begin an investigation to discover the
source of the new threat. What they discover is a dark and awesome power
that has been growing in secret; a power that could unite all the dark
forces of the world, end the reign of the Speakers, tear apart the
threads of fate, and threaten the existence of the High Ones themselves.
Review:
This book is a great step into the fantasy genre. We get to see different sides of things all in one book. It says a lot when an author can write a book that brings in different types of genres. We get a little fantasy, and even a little bit of the paranormal, which I love. We get different kinds of characters here, and I love that as well. When an author can maintain a world and all the characters through out the book, that says a lot.

The author appears to have taken his time with his book and written it with an rich back story in place. The world was well developed, as was each and every character. In my head I could see the author doing each character's back story before he even wrote his first paragraph. I love when you can see a character so clearly in your head with the way they are written.

This book gives you more then one emotion, which is the sign of a good book. You get the needed twists to keep you reading and the story moves forward so smoothly that you have to keep reading to see what will happen next. You will want to keep reading, to get the needed answers to questions that come up in your head as you are diving deeper and deeper into the book.

About the Author:Caton Hartworth is an author
based in Maryland, USA. With a lifelong passion for creativity, Caton
writes primarily in the fantasy genre, but sees no reason not to broaden
his horizons. Beyond his solo work, Caton often collaborates with other
artists and creators on literary and fine art projects.

Fluent
in Mandarin Chinese, and holding degrees in Anthropology and Chinese
Studies, Caton enjoys sourcing from his experience of travel and
fieldwork, the odd and extraordinary events of daily life, and the
richness of real-world cultures in order to create his fictional worlds.
Also, with a lifelong interest and love of Norse religion and culture,
Caton draws much inspiration from Norse history, mythology, the Eddas
and Sagas, and related scholarly and religious commentaries for his life
and work.

An avid outdoorsman, there is usually not a single day
where Caton doesn't spend at least some time adventuring in the woods,
working in the garden, or engaging in other outdoor work. Caton also has
a passion for meditation and exercise, starting early in childhood, and
believes that health of body, mind, and spirit are the keys to a good
life.

Some of Caton's favorite authors/writers include JRR
Tolkien, Seamus Heaney, William Shakespeare, Robert Burns, Snorri
Sturluson, Wu Cheng'en, and many others, new and old.

BLURB: When a man in a torn trench coat warns college-student Evelyn Cheng that something evil is coming down the tunnel where their subway train has stalled, she is ready to write him off as crazy until the lights flicker and the terrifying creatures appear. Through him, Evelyn discovers she is a seer and that a battle between good and evil is raging in New York City among her kind and the mysterious, otherworldly Elyuum, who seek to tighten their grip on the city. Spanning multiple universes with a sprawling cast of characters, Evelyn and others must stop the Elyuum before they conquer all existence.Review:
I can say that I loved this book. I love to read books where we get more then one side to things, and the point of views in this book did not change to harshly. I have a hard time with books that change between characters, jumping around when they don't need to do it. The author did not do that with this book. The changes were fluid.
I love when an author can put us into a fantasy world but keep it in a real setting. We are in New York, and not the pretty, glitzy side of New York. We get the real stuff, and I love that. We get to see how the world would look if the paranormal world was laid on top of the world that is already there. And with the way that Allen wrote things, you get a real vision of how it was all happening. I could really picture the world in my mind.

Evelyn is thrown into the world and she does a good job navigating it. She was written wonderfully and you can see that she is real. She is one of those women you read about in books and want to be. The strong, smart ones who know how to get you from point A to point B.

Allen Houston grew up in Bixby, Oklahoma. He attended the University of Oklahoma, where he earned a degree in English Literature. After graduation, he lived in Indonesia and Japan. Upon returning to the states, he worked as a reporter/editor at the the Dallas Morning News and The New York Post and as City Editor of Metro New York. Allen resides in Brooklyn with his wife and daughter. After Imogen was born, he began writing a story for her and Nightfall Gardens was created.

Tuesday, October 11, 2016

BLURB:When a high-society call girl is murdered in her Georgetown home, investigators find two cameras hidden in the walls of her bedroom. One has its memory erased, presumably by the murderer. The second is connected to the Internet through an encrypted connection...and no-one knows who's on the other end.

Special Agent Allison McNeil is asked by beleaguered FBI Director Clarence Mason to run an off-the-record investigation of the murder because of the murder's similarity to a case she worked a year earlier. Allison knows the most direct path to apprehending the killer is to find the videos, but the rumors that the victim's client list may have included Mason's political enemies has her worried about the director's motives. As she starts her investigation, she quickly discovers that she's not the only one pursuing the videos. In fact, the most aggressive person racing against her might be the murderer himself.

Review:

I love books that grab you from the get go and keep you until the end. I was pulled in from the first pages and wanted to keep going until I was done. It was a great book for me. If it can keep you reading, saying "Just one more page", then you are lucky! Not every author can do that and this one definitely is one to read.

I love that we get to see into Allison's mind as well as the killer's mind. I like books that give us both sides to things, so we get a better idea of why they are doing what they are doing. Getting from point A to point B is not always a straight line, and when you can get both sides of the story as you go it helps better understand where the curves and edges are. I love that with this book.

Allison is one of those characters you can relate to in a book. She is real, not one of those perfect, never does anything wrong types. I love thrillers where you have real people in them, not the ones who know everything all the time and can get the bad guy in no time. She is one that you want to be friends with, to help get the nasty people she has to deal with.

I would definitely recommend this book to anyone and everyone!

Stars:

About the Author:

Jeff Gunhus is the USA TODAY bestselling author of thriller and horror novels for adults and the middle grade/YA series, The Templar Chronicles. The first book, Jack Templar Monster Hunter, was written in an effort to get his reluctant reader eleven-year-old son excited about reading. It worked and a new series was born. His books for adults have reached the Top 30 on Amazon, have been recognized as Foreword Reviews Book of the Year Finalists and reached the USA TODAY bestseller list.

After his experience with his son, he is passionate about helping parents reach young reluctant readers and is active in child literacy issues. As a father of five, he leads an active life in Maryland with his wife Nicole by trying to constantly keep up with their kids. In rare moments of quiet, he can be found in the back of the City Dock Cafe in Annapolis working on his next novel or on JeffGunhus.com.

For More Information:
Killer Pursuit is available at Amazon.
Discuss this book at PUYB Virtual Book Club at Goodreads.

Giveaway
Jeff Gunhus is giving away a grand prize of $25 Amazon Gift Card plus one autographed copy of his book and 4 runner ups will receive an autographed copy his book as well!

Terms & Conditions:

By entering the giveaway, you are confirming you are at least 18 years old.

Five winners will be chosen via Rafflecopter to receive either the grand prize of a $25 Amazon Gift Card plus one autographed copy of his book or one of 4 autographed copies of his book

Wednesday, September 14, 2016

Emma G. is CRAZY about Aaron, lead singer of Boyz3000. Of course, she doesn’t actually know him, but so what? Feelings are feelings. That is until Josh appears… and he’s soooooo CUTE. Navigating her two crushes and her middle school life, especially with eighth-grade hater Renee around, is a challenge. And oh yeah, she’s got to earn money for an AWESOME trip to the Bahamas to see the band of her dreams. Hello???? How much can one thirteen-year-old take???

EXCERPT:

“You know that thousands of girls like Aaron,” she said. “Right?”

“So??”

“So it’s statistically almost impossible that a pop star boy will date a fan.”I should have known she’d say something like that. I wanted to say, “Okay, just forget it.” But instead I said, “Whatever! I mean I just love his singing and his writing. That’s all.”But that’s not all. How do you change what you feel just because some stupid statistics say you don’t have a chance? An article in Tigerbeat said Aaron had dated a girl from his high school for three months! And she wasn’t a star! So who knows what can happen? When you feel something, you have to believe! Your feelings are totally crucial to your life! When I look at Aaron’s face I get those stomach flutters! And feelings CANNOT BE IGNORED.I started thinking about stomach flutters instead of the essay and wondering why they happen with just one particular boy. Why can one boy make your stomach go CRAZY????I called my cousin Elyse to ask what she thought because she’s older and experienced.“No one really knows,” she said. “That feeling just hits you. But you want to make sure that the boy you like, likes you back.”“How can you tell?”“Well,” she said after thinking for a minute, “sometimes boys don’t want you to know they like you. So they look at you like they are trying to look like they aren’t looking at you or liking you, but really, they are.

AUTHOR Bio and Links:

Taro Meyer is a Grammy, Parents’ Choice, and Audie Award winning Audio Producer who has been producing and directing YA audiobooks for over 20 years, including The Princess Diaries Series starring Anne Hathaway, the All American Girl Series starring Ari Meyers, The Inheritance Cycle (Eragon, Eldest, Brisngr) and Judy Blume’s The Pain and the Great One, Here’s to You Rachel Robinson and Tiger Eyes among others.

She co-produced two touring companies of Trans-Siberian Orchestra's smash rock show Christmas Eve and Other Stories and their TV special The Ghosts of Christmas Eve, receiving Gold and Platinum Albums for her work with the team. She was associate producer of the award winning anti-bullying movie, “The Contest,” and co-produced the premier showcase of off-Broadway’s Little Willie.

As an actress and singer, she starred on Broadway in the musical Zorba, in numerous regional and off-Broadway shows, and on TV’s All My Children, Another World (for which she also composed music) and the mini-series Memories of Midnight, amongst others.

Meyer wrote and produced the upcoming children’s album: Mighty Musical Fairy Tales, starring international artist Patti Austin; an updated, joyous musical version of Classic Fairy tales, accompanied by an illustrated book, The Ugly Duckling.

JACOB HAS COME A LONG WAY FOR AN ORPHANED FOSTER KID. He has a mentor, a great job, and has finally fallen in love. Granted, she mistook him for a stalker when they met, but every relationship has its little problems. Unfortunately, for the past few years, as the object of his affection pops in and out of his life, she has refused to share any personal info, like where she’s from, or her real name. Regardless, Jacob is ready to take their relationship to the next level. Now, if only he can locate her so he can tell her.

CASEY’S FAMILY IS IN THE WITNESS PROTECTION PROGRAM. Safety has to be their only priority. Their cover has been blown before, so Casey knows at any given time they could be forced to disappear again. Obviously, a shy young man with hopeful eyes cannot possibly be added to the mix. You cannot build a relationship like that. Now, if only she can stop thinking about him.

JACOB’S AND CASEY’S WORLDS UNEXPECTEDLY COLLIDE when Jacob inadvertently helps hide her family. Exposed to their 24-7 vigilance, Jacob realizes he must come up with a plan to keep them out of harm’s way, because this time if Casey disappears, she will be taking with her Jacob’s heart, and his hopes of finally having a family of his own.

For More Information :Fairly Safe is available at Amazon. Discuss this book at PUYB Virtual Book Club at Goodreads.

Review:

I personally love reading books about people who grew up a foster child and have come a long way. Jacob was one of those children. He has done so much with his life and seems to have a strong, happy life now. And yet he keeps searching for that one girl who is always at the fair with him and William.He finds the girl he wants in his life and yet can't seem to keep his hands on her. That can't be easy but he finds that he can't live without her. This book delivers it's readers with a great spark of romance that grows as you read it. Throw in the thrill of a threat to his love interest and her family and the book is great.This book keeps the readers enraptured and you will want to keep reading until that last page. And yet you will feel fulfilled once you do get to the end. You are not left with that nagging feeling that there is something missing. I highly recommend this book!Stars:

Book ExcerptWipeout!

Jacob Kent stepped out of his car as he scanned the fair on the other side of the parking lot, his heart pounding. As with many country fairs, the parking lot was no more than an abused pasture. This one was about the size of two football fields. Fair employees decked in bright yellow directed the early trickle of cars to their temporary berths. Jacob ignored them, choosing instead a parking spot near the exit. Anticipating the possible need for a quick getaway outweighed a pimply teen’s futile attempts to redirect him.

He regarded the rides twirling and spinning above and around the strolling families. Despite the morning sun, the lights flashed merrily, beckoning to all. At 11 a.m. it wasn’t crowded, but he knew that would soon change. Locking his car, he slowly picked his way through the beaten grass, combing all directions for a clue the girls were there. As the unmistakable sound of carnival music floated toward him on the warm summer breeze, he reviewed his plan.

First, he would walk through the fair to familiarize himself with the layout they had printed out. Then he would adjust their escape route to where he parked the car. After assessing the grounds, he would plant himself somewhere along the concourse, and watch the crowd. That’s how he had always found Casey in the past, and that’s how he was going to find her again.

A voice came over the loudspeaker, momentarily dimming the carnival noise. “Would the owner of a red ford truck, license plate AIP537, please return to your vehicle? Your lights are on.”

Jacob tensed. Was that some kind of clue? He looked over the parking lot. No, he could see the lights of the red truck from here. He smiled ruefully to himself.

Get a grip, Kent, he thought as he watched a portly balding man march exasperatedly toward the truck.

He sighed. Intellectually, he had to acknowledge they might have pieced together a bunch of randomly forgotten items into a fantastical story, but emotionally, he couldn’t help but believe the items served an ultimate purpose. If The Herd was here, he was going to find them. He also knew if he wasn’t careful, he could spend the entire day jumping at shadows and following dead ends.

Like that little commotion over by the edge of the fair. To his over-active imagination, that game of tag could look like a child trying to escape from the evil clutches of—

“HAHAHAHAHAHAHA, WIPEOUT!” sang out over the loudspeaker.

His head jerked up. As the pounding drums from the familiar song drowned out the carnival music, all doubt was erased. The loudspeaker was sending out a warning. His eyes darted back toward the commotion he had noticed. That was no game of tag. That was a child trying to escape a man in hot pursuit. Jacob couldn’t be positive at this distance, but it sure looked like Robin.

With his heart in his throat, he broke into a run, zigzagging between cars, trying to intercept the fleeing child as it headed toward the side of the parking lot. In this surreal moment, the same song they had used for obstacle course training was being piped out like background music to a scene in a movie. But this scene was real, where a real menace was gaining. Caught in his own nightmare, Jacob was watching Robin run for her life, and he was not close enough to help.

As the predator and prey crossed the area between the fair and the parking lot, the longer legs of the adult closed the gap between them, but once they reached the cars, the advantage became hers. Robin’s small size and training put some distance between them as she dodged around vehicles. However, her constant change of direction made it difficult for Jacob to maintain a course of interception.

Watching Robin’s progress, Jacob realized she was trying to head back toward the fair. Silently applauding Robin’s decision to get closer to other people who could help her, Jacob altered his course accordingly.

So did Robin’s pursuer.

Suddenly, her stalker eliminated the space between them by clambering up and over two pickup trucks, and landing an arm’s length away. Skidding, Robin veered around another vehicle with the man on her tail. As Jacob frantically tried to reach her, a brunette Sam suddenly popped out from behind a car and neatly took the man out with one magnificent sweep of a skateboard to the head.

Where did she come from? A stunned Jacob skidded to a stop, gasping for breath, his chest burning.

With a quick high-five, the sisters raced back to the fair. Jacob tried in vain to get their attention, but he hadn’t quite recovered enough breath to formulate sounds louder than gasps. He shook his head as he tried to calm the burning in his lungs. He was a wreck, but they were able to run off.

And I was going to save them? He weakly chuckled. What was I thinking?

Sobering, he trotted over to the man who was staggering to his feet. With rage marshalling all of his strength, Jacob drew back and smashed his fist into the man’s face. The unexpected pain in his fist was nothing compared to the satisfaction of watching Robin’s former threat drop like an anchor.

Shaking the pain out of his hand, Jacob aimed a vindictive kick at the ribs of his girls’ attacker. Any qualms he might ordinarily have about hitting a man when he’s down were nonexistent when it came to someone threatening his family.

Satisfied the man was no longer a danger, he took off in the direction he had seen his girls disappear, trying to calm the fear rising in his chest. He doubted this man had come alone. The girls probably knew that, too, and would be hiding. How was he going to find them before their pursuers did?

The light glinting off the speaker perched atop a telephone pole caught his eye. Jacob skidded to a stop and stared at it. Of course. When Robin had been trying to escape, that speaker had been blasting out Wipe Out, but now he only heard carnival music. With a grin, Jacob decided it was time to stop believing in coincidences. Someone at the fair must be helping them. If he found that person, he’d be able to find the fugitives.

About the Author

DEBORAH ANN DAVIS has been writing since she was assigned to keep a Journal in her 5th grade English class. She began to look around for writing inspiration. Lo and behold, she found her world was full of funny stories just waiting to be told. As she grew older, occasionally she could manipulate one into some school assignment, but it never occurred to her to pursue writing, not even when she discovered her flare for telling stories at college parties.After a string of college majors, she realized she could have a captive audience EVERY DAY in the public school system. As it turns out, teenagers love to laugh, and what could be more entertaining than Biology, Earth Science, and Environmental Science? Then there's the added bonus that once kids know you like to laugh, they want to make you laugh.

Go figure.

In addition to Writing, she is also an Educational Speaker and a Certified Personal Trainer. She taught for 25+ years, although somewhere in the middle of all that educating, she stepped out of teaching for 6 years to do the Mommy Thing, and run the office for their family construction company.

Even though they had followed separate paths, Deborah reunited with, and married her childhood sweetheart, twelve years after their first kiss. Together they coached their daughter’s AAU Basketball Team, which swept States two years in a row. (Yay!) Then, for several years their daughter and their money went to college.

They currently reside on a lovely lake in Connecticut. She enjoys dabbling with living a sustainable life, writing novels for her Love of Fairs series, dancing, playing outside, and laughing really hard every day. She promotes increasing the amount of movement throughout your day via Wiggle Writer posts on Merry Meddling, her blog at www.DeborahAnnDavis.com. Follow her @DeborahAnnDavis.

Remember, you can do anything if you set your mind to it— including becoming an author at any age— but it’s way more fun if you are grinning back when the Universe smiles down on you.

Wednesday, August 31, 2016

These are some of the powers gifted to the Rhodi, an ancient sect of assassins who defend Crescentia, a dystopian world with a dying hope.

Dyliana Fairsson is one of them. After losing her parents to a suspicious accident, she and her twin brother, Devin, join the Rhodi to avoid starvation. Under the direction of her master, Dylan struggles to learn the strength of her magic …as well as hide the growing scars on her wrists. Can Dylan become the warrior, the hero, she’s destined to be? Or is she fated to fall from the light into the darkness?

The first installment in the epic fantasy series by bestselling author Megan Linski, Rhodi’s Light is an action-packed thrill ride that will leave readers begging for more.

Review:
I have to say that I love when I get to read a great start to a new series. This book is just that, a great start to a new series. I was drawn in from the get go and loved that about the book. This was one of those books that once I was reading it, I couldn't put it down. I just love when a book can do that to me.

This book gives you emotions, great characters and keeps you reading. You get to see the main character evolve. It is hard when you can't watch a character change in a book. You never want flat characters. The characters in this book are far from flat.

I love fantasy books. When an author can draw me in, keep me in their world and almost make me want to be a part of that world, so I can be with the characters, that is something special. I love this world that was created for us in this book.

This author has a way with words, she can tell you a story without having to make it all drawn out. She can describe something without making it too much for you to read.

In the past few months since the attack on their home, twin assassins Dylan and Devin have grown restless. With the Rhodi facing extinction, they search for their masters Talidin and Tavana, only to discover they’ve gone missing. With nowhere to turn, the twins seek help from a pair of mysterious spies, only to find the trail gone cold, marked by hints of torture and destruction.

Dylan and Devin piece together the events that led to the disappearance of their fellow Rhodi. As their enemies close in for the kill, Dylan discovers that some things are impossible for a Rhodi…but not for a tigress.

The stakes and romance are heightened in this epic dystopian sequel to Rhodi’s Light. Bestselling author Megan Linski brings readers a young adult fantasy with magic, mystery, and an epic adventure that races quickly to a breathless conclusion.

Review:
And on with book two. This book brings us right back into the world that Megan created for us in her first book in this series. You have the characters back with us, pushing through and trying to get to their home again. We see the characters with real issues. I love when characters, even in a fantasy world, can be like real people. They make the book more relate-able.

The book again pulled me in and held me as I was turning the pages. I love when I feel like I need to keep reading, like I need to know what is going to happen next before I put the book down. It is a great thing when a book can pull me in like that. It just makes me want to keep reading, and when it's a series that means I will keep getting the books so that I can.

We really can see the author developing and growing the world and the characters with each page. She is making a world I would love to be a part of, even if the life would be nothing like I am facing in my own world now.

Cities burn. Governments fall. Lives are lost in a desperate war...one the Rhodi are losing.

The world has been devastated by the tyranny of the Red Huntress. To save Crescentia, Dylan and Devin attempt to decipher the mystery of the ancient letter their ancestors left behind, the only hope of salvation for their kind. Dylan continues to fight foes both on the battlefield and within her own mind, all while wrestling with the confused feelings she has for Enfys, the alluring spy who has become devoted to her cause.

In the epic conclusion to the thrilling Rhodi Saga, one brave warrior will stand in the way of corruption, to take place before her destiny…or her death.

Rhodi’s Lullaby is the third installment in the suspenseful young adult dystopian series fans and critics are calling an original masterpiece in the epic fantasy genre.

Rhodi’s Light and Rhodi Rising are also available. Catch up on the entire series today!

Review:
And now we get to the last book in the series. The author continues to deliver a great story with the third book in the series. We have strong characters, a great world we all want to be in, and a story we all wish we were a part of. Megan Linski delivers a great series with the three books and makes sure the last book in the series delivers everything we need.

We get to see the characters at their best, and even get to see real issues that keep coming up throughout the books. It makes the characters more relate-able for me when I can see them doing things I do myself or did in the past. No one wants the characters they are reading to have the perfect world, with no issues. I can say that I like characters that are flawed more. I was happy that I had that with these books.

It was great to see this as the final book, but I was almost sad when I got to the end. I wanted to keep reading. It is always great when an author can keep you that engaged. I did not want this to be the last book in the series. I had every emotion while reading this book and I know it had to end, but that doesn't mean I wanted it to end. I wanted to be a part of the character's lives forever.

About the Author Megan Linski is the owner of Gryfyn Publishing and has had a passion for writing ever since she completed her first (short) novel at the age of 6. Her specializations are romance, fantasy, and contemporary fiction for people aged 14-24. When not writing she enjoys ice skating, horse riding, theatre, archery, fishing, and being outdoors. She is a passionate advocate for mental health awareness and suicide prevention, and is an active fighter against common variable immune deficiency disorder. She lives in Michigan.

Tuesday, August 23, 2016

A kingdom crumbles
without its ruler. The people fall to misery and desperation in the
shadow of an empty throne. A father does what he must to save his son
and his homeland in the absence of kings. Enter Garreth, ranger and
former royal bodyguard, who embarks from his woodland home after
defending it from the encroaching loggers of the Blackwoods Company.
"The King is dead!" they had screamed at Garreth and drove the man to
the capital of Amatharsus to resolve the most troubling statement in
Malquia's recent history. Together with his son, Novas, and daughter of a
murdered blacksmith, Kayten, Garreth is hounded by bandits, cutthroats,
and highwaymen, unleashed upon the countryside by the abolition of the
Crown Aegis, defenders of the King, his land, and his people. Garreth
unites with the remnants of the Crown Aegis to overcome the military,
political, and economic oppression that the Blackwoods Company has
imposed on Amatharsus and incites rebellion before the free people of
Malquia succumb to crippling recession and the environmental destruction
of their verdant nation. But can one man find the strength to challenge
overwhelming odds when all hope is lost?

Review:

So I wanted to really like this book. I loved the idea of it and that is why I wanted to review it. Once I started reading it though it was a bit if a struggle for me. I love people who actually can use formal writing, not just slang and text speak, but this book was almost too formal for me. When I am reading a book I want to be able to think but not feel like I am going to be tested on what I am reading later.

This book's structure reminded me of some of the books I had to read when I was in college. It was very stiff. I think the author has a great eye for describing things, and I think he could tell a blind person exactly how something looks. That being said, there is more to a book. I think that he needs to let the characters tell some of that, let them be part of it more then just tell us. If that makes sense.

The characters are strong, and the author did a great job with them. But parts were harder for me to follow and I got confused with them. Perhaps a little bit more about them, or more talk between them. I am not sure what they need. There is just something missing in this book.

I do think that it is a good dip into the fantasy genre, but I think that this book could stand a few little changes here and there. With the right tweaks and a more flowing feel, this book could be the start of an epic, great series!

Monday, August 15, 2016

Blurb:Like every kid in Solasenda, Kiva Stone has been far too busy training for one of the five town guilds to think about something as useless as dreaming. But when she and her sister DeeDee uncover a mysterious plot to get rid of them, their only hope lies with a shadowy group of people who wield unimaginable powers drawn from their dreams. As the girls escape with them up the Varruvyen river, they start learning secret Dreaming Way techniques that have been forbidden for centuries. But how can they learn enough to stand against the enemies chasing them? The answer lies in the shattered history of Orora Crona, the lost Valley of Dreams, and whoever can piece it together first will rule for centuries to come.

Review:

So this book was a harder read for me. I love books that grab you from the get go and keep you going until the last page. This was took me a while to get into. I don't think it was any one's fault, it was just not something I could get into. There were times when I had to go back and re-read something because I was confused. I know that fantasy novels are usually set in worlds far different from the one we live in, and I know this book is no exception. I think for me though, this took it beyond that fantasy level. When I am struggling to picture this world, or the things in it, that is a sign to me that I will have a hard time with the book.

Let me be clear, the book is very well written and the characters are thoroughly fleshed out. I think for me I just had a hard time putting myself into the story. And that is what I do, put myself into the story that I am reading. I picture myself as part of that world, it helps me connect with the whole book better when I can do that.

Kiva is a great character. She is strong, and knows what she needs to do in order to survive. She wants more for herself and her sister, and she will do what she needs to get those things. I love that she wants to learn more, to do more. I think that is a good thing to have in a book geared toward the middle school age. They need to see that they can push forward and get the things they dream of having.

The story we get in this book is great one. The girls have to leave the horrible conditions they are living in before they can start to reach for their dreams. They can't dream where they are and soon learn that the aunt they are living with is doing more harm them good to them while they are in the home. The girls are just not thriving in that environment, so Kiva takes her sister and they run off to see what they can find, what they can do outside of the city they live in.

While I struggled with this book, I can recommend it for others. The book is a great book, and I think the age bracket it is meant for will surely get lost in the story with the characters.

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Information

Kiva looked closely at the sun’s golden face. Wavy rays representing shimmering heat radiated out from it. Its cheeks were plump, the lips full and curved, the nose wide, and the eyes were a little almond-shaped, like hers. In the middle of its forehead was a weird circle with six curving parts swirling around a six-pointed star. She’d never seen the sun drawn like that. Wondering what was on the back of the pendant, Kiva turned it over.

The instant she saw the moon’s closed eyes, her hair flew back in the wind, her stomach dropped, and she was pressed back against the cushions of a vessel that was flying just inches above the river. She jerked her head back up and found she was in the back of a crescent-shaped boat piloted by an old man sitting up front. She was about to call out to him when he pointed at a tree that had fallen across the river and shouted, “When you get here, you must take a detour that even old Jacques didn’t know about! Hold on!”

Before she could, though, he turned the boat around so quickly that Kiva was thrown against the side of her boat and the wind was knocked out of her. She only got her breath back when he straightened out and followed the river back down.

“Look there!” he shouted moments later. “Turn right between the tall twins!”

Watch the Trailer!

About the Author

P.H.T. Bennet began exploring his dreams when he was a child and has never bothered to stop. He had the good luck to have two daughters, Juliette and Paola, who not only served as the inspirations for DeeDee and Kiva, the main characters of Raising Sleeping Stones, but also helped him turn their family dreamwork sessions into this book. His lucky streak grew when he married his lovely wife, Mim, who tolerates his turning on a light in the middle of the night to write down ever-crazier dreams and talking about them in the morning as long as he lets her sleep in, first. His favorite dreams involve flying, visiting the dead, and replaying nightmares until they reveal their secrets.

Pratt’s latest projects are editing Book Two of the Orora Crona Chronicles and planning a virtual summer dreaming camp with other dream authors.

Friday, August 5, 2016

He’s been locked away his entire life.He dreams of freedom.The only way he can accomplish his goals is by breaking free of the chains tying him to a dark past and gloomy existence. But there’s one catch. He’s not human.And he’s never set foot outside his jail.

Devoted to saving his peers as well as his own life, he sets out to find the one person that can help him achieve his objectives. He knows where she will be and what she will look like, but what he doesn’t anticipate is the fact he finds himself caring for the girl whose life he’s put at risk, more and more each day.

He has no name.He has only known hatred and violence before her.However, she will teach him to have faith in humanity, even if she can’t trust him.Together they will embark on a journey to bring down a corrupt system responsible for the loss of many innocent lives. But when he finds his feelings compromised, can he still move on knowing that doing so will put an end to the life she once knew? How far is he willing to go to be free?

Review:

This was a great book to read! It kept my attention through the whole book and I could not put it down. The characters were engaging and you were rooting for them, wanting the best for them. The storyline is well thought out and the characters are well developed. It was a great book and I highly recommend it to others.

Tiger is an interesting and well thought out character. From the get go you can tell he is not like the other characters you read about. He is naive and strong all at the same time. He was sheltered away in the lab where he grew up. That being said he does appear to understand humans and their nature. He was not nothing like our normal lead male characters and I found that very refreshing.

The interactions in the book are great and I love how the characters are with each other. The mistrust, the hate, the suspicion, and the way the leads play off each other. It is a great thing when an author can make their characters interact the way they do. This book delivers great dialog, and that is hard to come by with so many books today.

Kristy Centeno is the author of the Secrets of the Moon saga and Keeper Witches series.

She has always had a passion for books and after years of being an avid reader, she decided to transform her desire to write into a reality and thus, her first novel was born. When she’s not busy taking care of her five children or holding down the fort, she finds time to sit and do what she loves the most: writing.

Sunday, July 31, 2016

Katrina Crimshaw leads a double life as
an auditor by day and jewelry blogger at night. When she meets the
man of her dreams, again, her life becomes even more complicated.
Juggling success under a pen name with her day job and continued
encounters with Robert, a man from her past that she adored from
afar, proves complicated for the shy bean counter. When an attractive
museum director enters her life, all bets are off as the day dreaming
Katrina tries to make sense of her predicament.

When passion flares in this second
chance romance, will she let love slip through her fingers again? A
Solitary Romance is a clean romance that will set readers’ pulses
racing and book one of the Only Love Series.

Interview with Violet:

Do you have a specific writing style?I generally write in the third person limited or omniscient style. I have to say, I begin by the seat of my pants and allow my characters full reign. About one-third to half-way through the book, I'll sit down and outline the rest of the novel to keep things on track. At this point, I've got a good idea where all the personalities will end up. How did you come up with the title?The main character, Katrina Crimshaw, is a jewelry aficionado. She runs into a man from her past, someone she found incredibly attractive but was too shy to pursue. I combined the idea of a solitaire ring, representing her love of jewels, with the loneliness that sometimes accompanies someone who is fearful or shy, and came up with A Solitary Romance.

What books have most influenced your life most?The Bible has had the biggest impact on my life. The Practice of the Presence of God by Brother Lawrence, a Carmelite monk who lived in the 1600s, is an amazing book that I can read over and over. Coming Out of the Ice by Victor Herman also affected me—it's a wonderful tribute to the human spirit. I can't leave out the books by Dickens, Austen, and the Brontë sisters, which I read in my youth. Their works definitely lent an idealism to my mindset (which does not seem to belong to this century!), and shaped my ideas of what romance and love should be.

Do you have any advice for other writers?My advice to other writers is to keep on writing! Find a good editor you enjoy working with and don't rush your writing process. Read and write as much as possible and do not allow others to discourage you. What books/authors have influenced your writing?I've always loved how Charles Dickens could weave a story together with unforgettable characters and intersecting plots. I appreciate how he inserted humor in his books as well. I admire the way William Faulkner packed a punch and how the Brontës created amazing atmospheres, including unexpected twists in their stories. The contemporary author, Carlos Ruiz Zafon, is a master of characters, atmosphere, and storylines. What genre do you consider your book(s)?A Solitary Romance is a sweet, or clean and wholesome, romance. It is book one of the Only Love Series, which currently consists of three books. I have also written mysteries under a pen name.

Do you ever experience writer's block?I haven't yet had a serious writer's block. With every book, I do come to a place where I just have to grind out the story. I don't particularly enjoy this part of my writing process, but I've yet to escape this phase. Luckily, it only lasts for a chapter or two, and then I'm over the hump.

Have you ever hated something you wrote?I would not say that I've hated any of my work. Anything can be polished, rewritten, examined with a fresh eye, or edited for improvement. I do go through some fear each time I start a new book. Will I be able to come up with anything funny? Can I do the characters justice? Will unnecessary details hinder the story? In other words, how can I possibly pull this off?

What is your favorite theme/genre to write about?I cannot pick a favorite a genre. All of my books have at least a hint of romance, so maybe that's my top choice. The Only Love Series is straight-up romance, although the third book, A Calculated Romance, has a touch of suspense and mystery. I like to incorporate a twist or even several unexpected events in my novels, so that's a theme to look for.

Where did your love of writing come from?I have always loved storytelling. My mother used to catch me as a toddler making up stories for my own entertainment. She fostered my love of writing by introducing me to classic literature in grade school, and I won writing awards as a teen. Then, life and career got in the way. I always hoped to return to writing, and the encouragement of a friend got the ball rolling for me. What was the hardest part of writing this book?The hardest part of penning A Solitary Romance was just taking the plunge. I experienced a personal loss around the time that the idea started to sprout. I think this book provided a much needed distraction during those first, early stages of grief. With its overall light tone, the writing allowed me a welcome reprieve from reality.

What did you enjoy most about writing this book?A Solitary Romance is ever so slightly autobiographical. I enjoyed reliving my early career days and the fun I had with one of my girl pals. Also, because everything in the book felt familiar, it required little research. I appreciated how my writing could flow without stopping to investigate other subjects. Because I love the arts, I savored drawing on my experiences at a major auction house. There's a scene in the book where a character helps her friend squeeze into a gown in a dressing room by very creative means. This actually happened, and my friend managed to fit me in that tight, red dress by the same method! Just thinking about that little episode brings a smile to my face!

Do you write every single day?I find I produce my best work when I am writing every day. I aim to write six days a week, although I've slipped off a little this summer since my children are out of school.

Which writers inspire you?So many authors inspire me. At the top of the list are Charles Dickens, William Faulkner, Jane Austen, the Brontës, Carlos Ruiz Zafon, and Irène Némirovsky for her spectacular, unfinished, Suite Française. I went through a stage where I only read history or biographies, and I greatly admire the work of David McCullough. His books read like novels and bring the people of the past alive. I always appreciate any writer who can surprise me with a plot twist or unexpected outcome.

What are you working on at the minute?I am beginning the research for a novel set in the medieval period.

What is your latest book about?My latest book is third in the Only Love Series, A Calculated Romance. This is the story of Katrina's assistant, a young rock hound named Landi, and what happens when her path crosses with that of James Crimshaw. James is featured in the first three books of the series. He is Kate's brother and a naval intelligence officer. Both he and Landi have murky pasts and a strong attraction to each other.

Violet Sparks pulls from her career in corporate America, her time at a major auction house, and her love of all things girly when penning her romance novels. She won writing contests as a teen and always dreamed of becoming an author. A fan of the arts, Violet created one-of-a-kind gift items, sold in shops throughout Southern California, before raising a family. She met and married the man of her dreams and they now have two young children. Violet has a zeal for vintage costume jewelry, literature, museums, and travel. She writes a blog about her other passions under a pen name.